Charismatic Enigma
Grand Slam Champion
So I was just watching the latest episode of FCW where Husky Harris is now portraying a new character called Bray Wyatt (there is another discussion about that running currently) but this isn't really about him specifically. It got me to thinking though, has there ever really been a successful gimmick change in WWE history?
Now before you fly off with a huge list of names, hear me out because there is a perimeter I want to set to this discussion. See in the case of Husky Harris, even though he was literally Husky Harris just one week before, FCW is treating him like a COMPLETELY different person, even William Regal who was commentating just the week before said he "needs to learn more about this Bray Wyatt" like he has no idea who he is. I found this kind of strange though because, it's clear as day that it's still Husky Harris, and he was Husky literally only one week before he became Bray Wyatt.
Over the course of WWE history there have been many successful gimmick changes, but the thing they all seem to have in common is a significant difference in appearance. To list some examples:
-Kane is more successful than Issac Yankem, however for many years Kane wrestled under a mask, so it was easier to conceal his identity.
-The Godfather was more successful than Papa Shango, but again Shango wore face paint.
-Lord Tensai...remains to be seen, but clearly the crowd can't seem to stop chanting Albert, and while it's early to tell I wouldn't exactly say he's getting over with the crowd.
But here's what I want to know: In WWE History, has there ever been a gimmick change, that was successful where the wrestler was referred to by a different name, but was obviously the same person, and was NOT under some kind of mask or face paint?
Just to be real specific a personality change is not a gimmick change, so John Cena wearing local team colors and then becoming a rapper doesn't count...he was always John Cena.
You have to name someone who started as one character, and became a completely different character with a different name, without heavily altering their appearance that went on to greater success. The only one that sort of comes to mind for me at the moment is Spirit Squad Nicky who later became Dolph Ziggler. Anyone else have any?
Now before you fly off with a huge list of names, hear me out because there is a perimeter I want to set to this discussion. See in the case of Husky Harris, even though he was literally Husky Harris just one week before, FCW is treating him like a COMPLETELY different person, even William Regal who was commentating just the week before said he "needs to learn more about this Bray Wyatt" like he has no idea who he is. I found this kind of strange though because, it's clear as day that it's still Husky Harris, and he was Husky literally only one week before he became Bray Wyatt.
Over the course of WWE history there have been many successful gimmick changes, but the thing they all seem to have in common is a significant difference in appearance. To list some examples:
-Kane is more successful than Issac Yankem, however for many years Kane wrestled under a mask, so it was easier to conceal his identity.
-The Godfather was more successful than Papa Shango, but again Shango wore face paint.
-Lord Tensai...remains to be seen, but clearly the crowd can't seem to stop chanting Albert, and while it's early to tell I wouldn't exactly say he's getting over with the crowd.
But here's what I want to know: In WWE History, has there ever been a gimmick change, that was successful where the wrestler was referred to by a different name, but was obviously the same person, and was NOT under some kind of mask or face paint?
Just to be real specific a personality change is not a gimmick change, so John Cena wearing local team colors and then becoming a rapper doesn't count...he was always John Cena.
You have to name someone who started as one character, and became a completely different character with a different name, without heavily altering their appearance that went on to greater success. The only one that sort of comes to mind for me at the moment is Spirit Squad Nicky who later became Dolph Ziggler. Anyone else have any?
